GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

[failure13]

Hi guys! I'm new to this forums, so don't judge my OC knowledge too hard :)
I have pretty weird trouble with stability of my "OC".

I got 6 G.SKILL F3-17000CL8D-4GBXMD, 2133mHz, 8 9 8 24, 1.65V, which makes totally 12 Gb of RAM, rest of my system specs you can watch in my PC profile.

Well, i would love to have it 2133mHz with all stock timings and voltages of course, but it's totally impossible as far as i can test, it can see only 4Gb.

Most stable frequency i was able to run all 12Gb on 2002mHz (BCLK 143mHz x14 memory multiplier).
But when i get there i have started to have 0x124 BSOD's very freuently in GPU intensive applications or games, mostly with GTA IV on highest graphical settings, this game use intensly CPU, RAM and GPU simultaniosly, so for me it's extremely hard to troubleshoot what is cause.

Then i decided to try uncore freuency OC, i've started from 133mHz BCLK and upped uncore to x26, then i was making higher BLCK, so on BLCK 138mHz and memory x14 1932mHz i got memroy bandwith results same as with 2133mHz on x21 uncore (4 sticks) in AIDA64, which amazed me, and i would got fully satisfied...But i still got crashes in gpu intensive applications. I think that when i suppress NB voltage, it lower something for the videocard...like PCI-E voltage maybe?

My current most stable BIOS settings:
Advanced CPU Features:
CPU Clock Ratio ................................. [25] (3.32 GHz)
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech ................... [enabled]
CPU Cores Enabled ............................. [All]
CPU Multi Threading ........................... [disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) .................... [enabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support ..................... [disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor .......................... [disabled]
CPU EIST Function ............................. [enabled]
Virtualization Technology .................... [enabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ...................... [enabled]

QPI Clock Ratio ................................. [x36] (4.78 GHz)
Uncore Clock Ratio ............................ [x25] (3325 MHz)
Isonchronous Support ........................ [enabled]
Virtualization Technology .................... [enabled]

Standard Clock Control:
Base Clock (BCLK) Control ................... [133 MHz]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) .............. [auto]

Advanced Clock Control:
CPU Clock Drive ................................ [900mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive ...................... [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew ................................ [0ps]
IOH Clock Skew ................................ [0ps]

Advanced DRAM Features:
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) ........... [disabled]
Performance Enhance ........................ [standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) .......... [14] (1862 MHz)
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) ............ [quick]

Channel A Timing Settings:
CAS Latency Time ............................ [8]
tRCD .............................................. [9]
tRP ................................................ [8]
tRAS .............................................. [24]
CR................................................ .. [2]

Advanced Voltage Control:
Load Line Calibration .......................... [standart]
CPU Vcore ....................................... [1.39375]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v ..................... [1.495]
CPU PLL 1.800v ................................ [normal]
PCIE 1.500v ..................................... [1.560]
QPI PLL 1.100v ................................. [1.160]
IOH Core 1.100v ............................... [1.180]
ICH I/O 1.500v ................................. [normal]
ICH Core 1.1v .................................. [normal]

DRAM
DRAM Voltage 1.500v ........................ [1.680]
DRAM Termination 0.750v.................... [auto]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v ..................... [auto]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v ..................... [auto]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v ..................... [auto]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v ................. [auto]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v ................. [auto]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v ................. [auto]




The Goal of my OC is to have completely stable 24/7 system with one of those:
1. BCLK 143 mHz, uncore at least x24 preferably x25-x27, x14 memory multiplier = 2002 mHz memory.
2. BCLK 138 mHz, uncore at least x25 preferably x26-x27, x14 memory multiplier = 1932 mHz memory.

It's clear that instability is caused only in GPU intensive applications, coz i was able to pass CPU Linpack and CPU OCCT without errors or BSOD for 12 hours each, but have crashed 0x124 multiple times in GTA IV, Hitman Absolution or while video-editing.

Temps are completely fine, maximum i've seen are:
Mainboard 43
CPU 43
Norhbridge 57
Core temps 47-51
Video card 56

I've found that adding a bit PCI-E voltage helps improve stability, but i'm afraid to go further (coz i don't know if it's safe or not or how far can i go, or is it reasonable at all)

Please help me!

[wazza300]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

its very hard to run 12gb at 2133mhz on x58,youll be lucky to clock above 1600mhz

124 bsod error is not enough qpi/vtt voltage,your at 1.495v atm it would be better to lower the memory frequency and use less qpi/vtt voltage

ive only run 12gb once on an x58 and the cpu was at stock,memory was at 1600mhz and i needed 1.3750v qpi/vtt

[Vinster]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

I don't think you are going to get any further than you already are without taking any risks...

running the memory beyond 2000Mhx on an x58 is very difficult and really requires a near golden chip.

also an 0x124 usually means that the QPI voltage is too high or not high enough and seeing that you are at 2002Mhz and you are below 1.5v I'm going to say you are not high enough.

on my previous GA-X58A-UD5 v1.0 board I was not able to achieve 2000Mhz unless my CPU was running at stock freq (920, so 2.66Ghz) then I was able to increase my mem ratio and uncore to get to 2000Mhz (my ram is 2000Mhz at 9-10-9-27-1T) but I had to have my QPI voltage at 1.52v to keep the system stable. My CPU was at 1.20v-1.25v

This is what I required for Prime95 blended testing stable for 6 hours. but my loaded temps with my H70 was near 85 degrees C. and I had better fans in there as well. Stock fans had me at 95 degrees C.

if your temps are good and as you are getting 0x124 BSOD's increase your QPI voltages 1 tick and see how things go.


as for the remainder of your settings I don't see an issue... as for your PCIe voltage bump I don't see any relation to that adding any stability under the OC conditions you are experiencing, with only 1 external PCIe device I don't see a reason to have that beyond the stock 1.5v.

Vin

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

wazza300
Well, yeah, i can feel that, but i able to run fully stable 24/7 stock BCLK 133mHz x 14 memory = 1862mHz with stock timings 8 9 8 24 2T.
Probably this memory i got is really good :)

When i raise QPI/VTT any further - i have 0x124 more often than before, for example if with BIOS settings i got posted i will have GTA IV crash in ~1 hour of playing, then with 1.515 V i will get it in ~8 minutes...

if your temps are good and as you are getting 0x124 BSOD's increase your QPI voltages 1 tick and see how things go.

as for the remainder of your settings I don't see an issue... as for your PCIe voltage bump I don't see any relation to that adding any stability under the OC conditions you are experiencing, with only 1 external PCIe device I don't see a reason to have that beyond the stock 1.5v.

I will have to explain myself about PCI (or northbridge) guess, when i raise memory frequency near 2000 mHz i can visually see that texture loading times in GTA IV are noticeably lower, i can see things popping 'in front of my eyes', when lower it's ok, so i guess when i raise memory freuency / uncore / cpu voltage / qpi/vtt voltage one of those cause graphical card / bus instability, i'm thinking that my GPU actually got 1536Mb of memory (and GTA IV use it on full), which is enough hard stress when it goes alongside with 12Gb ~2000mHz CL8 memory, it's extreme stress on northbridge at least.
+ it's pretty weird that i got no errors / BSOD in OCCT and Linpack and got 0x124 in GPU intensive apps, don't you find?

I read somewhere that extreme memory can do this in rare cases to video card and you'll have to upp your PCI-E and NB voltage...

P.S. I'm also a having a bit of worry about 3.3V
BIOS sensors, ET6 and HWMonitor by CPU ID all shows such info:
+12 V = 12.112 V
+5 V = 4.99 V
+3.3 V = 3.168 V (is such a difference ok, or it can be consider as huge drop and i need to raise something in bios to let it feed normally?)

And also, what exactly 3.3 V feeds?

Oh yeah, and what exactly risk can it be to go ~1.5V on QPI/VTT?
Is it just potential overheat, or something more serious?
Hopefully it's not reason of your signature "MB = Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 v1.0 with F6 Bios - Dead Board" :)

[wazza300]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

does memory support x.m.p?

i would set dram to 1.66v
CPU Clock Drive ................................ [900mV]800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive ...................... [900mV]
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) ............ [quick] expert and set each channel manually,could try 9-9-9-24-2t?

tried underclocking the gpu memory? test with 100-150 mhz less and see if it bsod's 124 error is still not enough qpi/vtt though so you may need 1.5+ its your choice

the reason why its difficult to run high memory speeds is because you overclok through the base clock on x58,later sandybridge/ivybridge use a fixed base clock of 100 and all overclocking is done through the cpu multiplier,ram speeds are fixed 1600mhz/1800mhz/2000mhz+ ect

it could degrade the cpu integrated memory controller with such a high qpi/vtt voltage over time

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Yes, memory support XMP, but i have always set it manually on quick..
Will try to set each manually on expert now, wonder if it has some difference, i thought that if you set quick and set channel A manually, then other channels would copy it, no?
Oh, and when i set dram on 1.66 it sensors of motherboard show actual 1.62 V, and it can't even boot to windows properly..So i stick with 1.68, which shows actual 1.64 V

I have already tried to loose timings for CL9 and CL10 even, and loose tRFC also - have no stability effect at all, except huge perfomance downgrade..

Tried underclocking the gpu memory? test with 100-150 mhz less and see if it bsod's 124 error is still not enough qpi/vtt though so you may need 1.5+ its your choice

Well, my videocard is stock-overclocked by gigabte, i was trying to reset clocks and voltages on nvidia default gpu specs, which haven't helped...
But i should try to loose it even more, as you've said, to see if it will help.
Every notch more QPI/VTT than i have now - gives me more often 0x124, so i don't think it's the case, i have gone up to 1.6 without luck

My guess - is that this exact 0x124 on my system is not connnected to QPI/VTT voltage at all, coz this post is random error, and this doesn't mean it's only QPI/VTT, it's just means that it is most likely QPI/VTT, but could be something else, for example cpu vcore or other instability caused by OC...What do you think about it?

[wazza300]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

could try more cpu voltage,its hard to say

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Hmm...It's already 1.39375 V which is huge amount, no?
And what is the logic, do you think CPU also can fail in GPU intensive apps?
I mean, as far as i was testing it before - if it wouldn't be enough, then i couldn't pass Linpack and OCCT at all..

[wazza300]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

i cant see anything out of place with your settings,and yes it would probably fail if cpu voltage wasnt enough,still points to either that cpu's memory controller limiting you or the memory itself idk,whats the highest speed you can clock the memory too that passes prime95 blend test ect?

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Well, i have passed prime like this:
8 Gb - 2133 mHz 8 9 8 24 2T (all voltages on auto)
12 Gb ~2016 mHz 8 9 8 24 2T (voltages manually set, something like now)

Both on default x21 uncore

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Have try to raise cpu vcore to 1.4V and lower cpu multiplier to x24 (now i'm on 135 BLCK) - no luck, stability of getting 0x124 is exactly same...

[wibujo]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Failure13, You should be able to run memory at spec. On my X58A board I run my memory (24GB's 2000MHz's) 2016 MHz with no problem. Thats with QPI/vtt @ 1.395v - never go over 1.40v for 24/7 use - it will fry your mobo. Short benching sessions is OK. Your CPU should not need near the voltage your throwing at it. 1.30v to 1.35v should be plenty. Never run turbo boost - I read where it fried cpu's in another forum. Did you load "optimized defaults" before you started your OC ? I see many problems with your BIOS settings - too many to list - here's what you may try.


[CODEAdvanced CPU Features:
CPU Clock Ratio .............................. [27] (3.60 GHz)
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech ................ [Disabled](never enable)
CPU Cores Enabled .......................... [All]
CPU Multi Threading ........................ [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) .................. [Disabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support ................... [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor ....................... [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function ........................... [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology ................. [Disabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ................... [Enabled]

QPI Clock Ratio ............................... [x48] (6.4 GHz)
Uncore Clock Ratio .......................... [x24] (3067 MHz)
Isonchronous Support ..................... [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology ................ [Disabled]

Standard Clock Control:
Base Clock (BCLK) Control ................ [133 MHz]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) .............. [100]

Advanced Clock Control:
CPU Clock Drive ............................ [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive .................. [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew ............................ [0ps]
IOH Clock Skew ............................ [0ps]

Advanced DRAM Features:
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) ........... [disabled]
Performance Enhance ..........................[Extreme]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) ........... [16] (2133 MHz)
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) ............. [Expert]

Channel A Timing Settings:
CAS Latency Time ......................... [8]
tRCD ........................................... [9]
tRP ............................................. [8]
tRAS .......................................... [24]
CR.............................................. [2]

Advanced Voltage Control:
Load Line Calibration .................... [standard]
CPU Vcore .................................. [1.32500v](may need more)
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v ................... [1.395v]
CPU PLL 1.800v ........................... [1.800v]
PCIE 1.500v .............................. [1.500v]
QPI PLL 1.100v ........................... [1.100v](increase to 1.160v if you CrossFire VGA's)
IOH Core 1.100v .......................... [1.100v](increase to 1.160v if you CrossFire VGA's)
ICH I/O 1.500v ........................... [1.500v]
ICH Core 1.1v ............................ [1.100v]

DRAM
DRAM Voltage 1.500v ...................... [1.660v]
DRAM Termination 0.750v................... [0.830v]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]


][/CODE]

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

wibujo
Hi, thx for your answer, there is something new to work with now!

Failure13, You should be able to run memory at spec. On my X58A board I run my memory (24GB's 2000MHz's) 2016 MHz with no problem.

O_O !That's...kind of amayzing!Awesome system you got man!
But i can see you have unlocked extreme processor + watercooling, but i still got very good, but locked one...Maybe here is the differenece.
Also you got better motherboard, it's specs says 2200mHz+ memory support, mine max is 2133 mHz...
When i was on G Skill forums they said that i was unable to launch 2133mHz coz i've bought 3 different packages of memory, but i've needed to buy 1 pack of 12 Gb (but what i've bought is ONLY option in my country, so...), And besides, since it perform with 2133mHz on stock settings just perfect with 8Gb, i thought why couldn't it go for 12 Gb? But i wasn't able even to boot through bios post even once to see more than 8 Gb on 2133 mHz. So i really don't know about my particular case :( Hopefully you're right! This is my dream :)

Thats with QPI/vtt @ 1.395v - never go over 1.40v for 24/7 use - it will fry your mobo. Short benching sessions is OK. Your CPU should not need near the voltage your throwing at it. 1.30v to 1.35v should be plenty. Never run turbo boost - I read where it fried cpu's in another forum.

Ok, i will keep in mind about QPI/VTT, have set it now to 1.395 V for test, but i have also heard about 2 type of people, those who keep low QPI/VTT and memory voltages, and those who have extreme values but with one rule "QPI/VTT must be within 0.5 V range of DRAM V, other than that is harmfull". I believe i found it on i4 forums somwhere like here Asus X58 + 6/12GB memory overclocking - detecting less memory than installed - i4memory.com - different look at memory
About CPU - thx, that is a good advice i belive, i was just raising CPU voltage to try gain stability, but as you can see this haven't gave me stability at all...So, since you said - i'll keep at 1.35 now!

Did you load "optimized defaults" before you started your OC ? I see many problems with your BIOS settings - too many to list - here's what you may try.

Yes, i am using optimized defaults as base, everyone was asking me about this, but i cna't understand, why? How you define that? Something specifical goes off?

Now our bios settings is pretty similar, but i got few questions:

Performance Enhance ..........................[Extreme]

This settings always gave me only instability, and actually a bit lower perfomance compared to standart, which is strange...but it is for my system. Have you try to compare any bench results like AIDA64 with those settings fro yourself?

DRAM
DRAM Voltage 1.500v ...................... [1.660v]
DRAM Termination 0.750v................... [0.830v]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v ................ [0.830v]

But thhis is more serious...Well, i suppose you have already read what i have written about 1.660 v in my case?

Oh, and when i set dram on 1.66 it sensors of motherboard show actual 1.62 V, and it can't even boot to windows properly..So i stick with 1.68, which shows actual 1.64 V

BUT i have newer ever touch DRAM termination and CH-* Data / CH-* Adress!
Probably this is the key?
Could you please kindly explain what it is exactly, how to use it, how far can i go with those values?
I'm very interested!
Guys on GSKILL forums said that i shouldn't touch this values, when i asked them what it is, as i remember...
At default, with optimizedthose values was always 0.750 v for me, but i suspect this could be key :)

P.S. When i set exactly your listed settings - 2133mHz of course as always sees 4 Gb and cash after post :(
When i try your settings with BLCK 143 mHz, x14 memory (= 2002 mHz), x24 uncore - it gives me crash on Windows boot, or few seconds after Windows boot.

[wibujo]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Man, I forgot the 970 was a locked cpu. I never had a locked cpu and will help you if I can. Since you didn't buy the 6 dimm memory kit - you may never get it stable. I set my DRAM voltage to 1.66v (BIOS shows 1.64v) - never been a issue for me. DRAM Termination is 1/2 DRAM voltage. CH-*Data / CH-*Adress is the same as DRAM Termination. You can set to Auto and BIOS should adjust settings. I don't mean to be going backwards here - I would try to get stable using 3 dimms (6 GB's) memory installed in the white dimm slots. That would be a good starting point to see if your going to be able to run RAM @ spec. Bench test until you you achieve the lowest voltages you can and still remain stable. Then your voltages will be only 1 or 2 ticks off running 6 dimms. (12 GB's) Thats what worked for me.
I like tweaking on my rig - I never set any BIOS settings to Auto for 24/7 use. That took me weeks of testing to achieve. When Benching: For me to run 4.8GHz to 5.0GHz + I can only use 12 GB's (3 dimms)of RAM and have to set some settings to Auto. I even have to set RAM timings to Auto 9-9-9-24 -2 even though RAM timings are 8-9-8-24-2 @ spec. I never change RAM voltages - I keep it @ 1.66v even @ high OC's. I'll help you if I can - Like I said - I never had the chance to use a locked CPU.

[failure13]

Re: GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2 memory / uncore OC stability trouble.

Actually you already helped me like no one did in 2,5 years!!!

DRAM Termination is 1/2 DRAM voltage. CH-*Data / CH-*Adress is the same as DRAM Termination.

This is golden rule which i never knew before!!!

You can set to Auto and BIOS should adjust settings.

And this is lesson for all of us - newer trust goddamn automatics, on auto it was ALWAYS 0,775 V, with any condition and memory or QPI/VTT voltages!
This was pretty setious undervoltage for such memory!

Now i'm running this settings:

Advanced CPU Features:
CPU Clock Ratio ................................. [24] (3.31 GHz)
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech ................... [disabled]
CPU Cores Enabled ............................. [All]
CPU Multi Threading ........................... [disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) .................... [enabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support ..................... [disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor .......................... [disabled]
CPU EIST Function ............................. [enabled]
Virtualization Technology .................... [enabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ...................... [enabled]

QPI Clock Ratio ................................. [x36] (4.96 GHz)
Uncore Clock Ratio ............................ [x24] (3312 MHz)
Isonchronous Support ........................ [enabled]
Virtualization Technology .................... [enabled]

Standard Clock Control:
Base Clock (BCLK) Control ................... [138 MHz]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) .............. [100 MHz]

Advanced Clock Control:
CPU Clock Drive ................................ [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive ...................... [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew ................................ [0ps]
IOH Clock Skew ................................ [0ps]

Advanced DRAM Features:
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) ........... [disabled]
Performance Enhance ........................ [standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) .......... [14] (1932 MHz)
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) ............ [EXPERT]

Channel A / B /C Timing Settings:
CAS Latency Time ............................ [8]
tRCD .............................................. [9]
tRP ................................................ [8]
tRAS .............................................. [24]
CR................................................ . [2]

Advanced Voltage Control:
Load Line Calibration ......................... [standard]
CPU Vcore ...................................... [1.35000v]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v .................... [1.395v]
CPU PLL 1.800v ............................... [1.800v]
PCIE 1.500v .................................... [1.540v]
QPI PLL 1.100v ................................ [1.160v]
IOH Core 1.100v .............................. [1.160v]
ICH I/O 1.500v ................................ [1.500v]
ICH Core 1.1v ................................. [1.100v]

DRAM Voltage 1.500v ....................... [1.660v]
DRAM Termination 0.750v.................. [0.830v]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v ................... [0.830v]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v ............... [0.830v]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v ............... [0.830v]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v ............... [0.830v]

And i have been able to survive 20 minutes of OCCT with low data rate, and have played GTA IV for 1 hour 20 minutes without BSOD!!!!!

This is very very good result already, i'll have to test it more, but it's a great help!
Ok, now i would like to shift myself closer for 2000 mHz, if i'll set BLCK 143 mHz, what i will need to add to be stable? More vcore, right?